Strike and ball indicator



June 7, 1932.

A. T. SWANSON STRIKE AND BALL INDICATOR Filed May 14, 1930 INVENTOR, 1772 7.711 77,9904 71.50721 ATTORNEY Patented June 7, 1932 PATENT @FFICE ARTHUR 'I'. SWANSON, OF LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA STRIKE AND BALL INDICATOR Application filed May 14,

This invention relates to game tally keepers and more especially to strike ant ball indicators useful in baseball games.

The present device is adapted to worn in a position across the chest of the umpire of a baseball game so that he is relieved of the burden of mental responsibility in keeping ball and strike tally by use of fingers of either or both hands during the entire time a batter is at the plate.

During exciting periods the umpire may by sheer hysteria momentarily neglect to keep the tally correctly by his fingers and in such case a question may arise as to the accuracy of his record.

Therefore, an object of the invention is to provide a simple, inexpensive and easily operated means, to be conspicuously worn by the umpire, for instantly indicating his de cision on balls and strikes, and whereby the count may be securely preserved until the batter is out or his turn at the plate is ended, and then may be easily reset to a clear or ready position for the next batter coming up.

The invention consists in certain advancements in this art as set forth in the ensuing disclosure and having, with the above, additional objects and advantages, and whose construction, combination and details of means, and the manner of operation will be made manifest in the description of the here with illustrative embodiment; it being understood that modifications, variations and adaptations may be resorted to within the scope, principle and spirit of the invention as it is more directly claimed hereinafter.

Figure l is a front elevation of the indicator.

Figure 2 is an elevation of a detached indicator counter member.

Figure 3 is a cross-section on line 83 of Fig. 1.

Figure 4 is a detail view of aguide part for one of the counter members.

The device as here shown, includes a frame including a right-hand upright panel sheet 2 and a left-hand panel sheet 3 which are joined at the lower ends by a cross-strip 4, all of which parts are preferably in rigid com- 1930. Serial No. 452,311.

bination and may be formed as a unit, either built up, or of one piece, as of sheet metal.

Each upright panel has a set of parallel guides or pockets 5 and in these there is operative respective sets of sign or counting rods 6 having clearly discernible heads 7.

In the fronts of the poc ets 5 are formed bayonet slots 8 in which play small handles 9 by which the rods 6 may be pushed up and turned outward to temporarily hitch in upper positions with their heads 7 well above the upper ends of the panels 2 or 3.

Two right-hand rods 6 are employed to indicate strikes by batters and three lefthand rods are utilized to show count of balls. Since the batter is out on three strikes only two such sign members are needed, and as the batter walks to first base on four balls only three counters are required for ball tally.

The raised counters can be quickly retracted to ineffective position by simply turning their handles 9 over to the vertical legs of the slots 8, wherein they may drop free to bottom.

The applied indicator is hung on the shoulders of the umpire by a neck strap 10 and is fastened about the waist by a back strap 11, the upper ends of the panels being connected by a cross-bar 12.

WV hat is claimed is:

A breast plate for a base-ball umpire including a cross-strip having strap parts to meet and fasten at the back, a pair of spaced upright panels at opposite ends of the crossstrip and connected by a top, front crossmember, back straps at the upper ends of the panels; one of the panels having a set of three individually settable rods with respective projective signal heads to indicate a ball count, and the other panel having a set of two, headed rods separately operative to show strike counts.

ARTHUR T. SXVANSON. 

